Gate valve



- Sept. 8, 1953 w. T. HIRSCH ETAL 2,651,320

GATE VALVE Filed March 31, 1949 5 SheetS -Sheet 1 INVENTORS Mill's/1m ZI'Hzrsc/z Sept. 8, 1953 Filed March 31, 1949 W. T. HIRSCH ET AL GATE VALVE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 717. as lag 5!. m kW 1 I 18 I I --24 EE@ I Err-i li-4 5 Ff 4 I ATTE'J'T 6Q Mew 7 INVENTORS W'z'lliam. I Hirsch Ennest R.Rozh BY W. T. HIRSCH ET AL GATE VALVE Sept. 8, 1953 5 Sh qets-Sheet s Filed March 31, 1949 W a. w M i FR liter-7.2g

HTTEST M 0.4M

Patented Sept. 8, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GATE VALVE. William T. Hirsch, Havertown, and Ernest R.

Roth, Norwood, Pa., assignors Refining Company,

ration of Pennsylvani to The Atlantic Philadelphia, Pa., a corpo- Application March 31, 1949, Serial No. 84,498 10 Claims. (01. 137 24s) through a reactor riser or pipe into the reactor vessel maintained at a temperature of 900 F, for example, wherein the gas oil is converted into motor fuel of relatively highoctane number.

During the reaction the catalyst becomes coated with carbonaceous residue or byproduct Which decreases the effectiveness thereof.

The spent catalyst is passed from the reactor vessel through a reactor standpipe, which is controlled by one or more gate valves. The purpose of the valves is to maintain a desired level of catalyst in the reactor vessel by controlling the rate of flow of spent catalyst through the reactor standpipe. The spent catalyst, to which has been added a. stream of air, is then passed through a regenerator riser or pipe into the regenerator vessel maintained at a temperature of about 1,000 F, for example, wherein the carbonaceous coating is caused to be removed, thereby reactivating Reactivated. catalyst is rethe spent catalyst. turned to the process through a valve controlled regenerator standpipe, the flow of catalyst through the standpipe being controlled by one or more gate valves similar to the valves provided in the reactor standpipe.

What is called a fluid catalyst is generally a powdered aluminum silicate which has been aerated with a gas, such, for examplaas-air, at a pressure sufiicient to fluidize the aluminum silicat-e. In this state, the catalyst possesses the flow characteristicsof fluid mediums and the fluid catalyst may be caused toflow through pipesat a rate controlled by valves suitably provided therein.

In practice, it has been found that'when using for controlling the flow of fluid catalyst in a fluid catalytic cracking unit, the catalyst enters the close clearances between the gate and valve seat thereby causing extreme attempt to obviate 2 erosion and corrosion of the valve with consequent loss of control of catalyst flow. In an this difficulty, the close clearances were reduced to a minimum; however, manipulation of the gate was then found to be one object of the invention is to provide an improved gate valve having means whereby the surfaces of the valve gate and the seating surfaces of the valve are maintained substantially free of the fluid being controlled by the 4 valve.

Another object is to provide a valve having means for continuously introducing aeration fluid between the surfaces of the valve gate and the seating surfaces.

A further object is to provide an improved gate valve which may be repaired readily without be apparent from removing the valve body from its position in the flow line or pipe.

Other objects and features of the invention will the description and drawings which follow.

Figure l is a plan view of a valve constructed in accordance with the invention and showing the input end with the valve partially open.

'Figure 2 is a cross-sectionalview taken along the line 2-2 of Figure '1 showing the control member removably secured within the valve body.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the control member removed from the valve body.

Figure 5 is a side view of the control'member shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 66 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 1-1 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 88 of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is an enlargedcross-sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 4.

Figure 10 is a plan view of the valve gate removed from the control member.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line |I|l of Figure 10. V

Figure 12 is a side iew of the valve gate shown in Figure 10.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to tends'exteriorly' of 'the valve" provides a pair of leading tionof gate stem Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, the valve includes valve body I, having formed therein axial opening 2 through which flows the fluid to be controlled, and also laterally extending cylinder 3 adapted to receive in sealing engagement a control member which will be described more fully hereinafter. That portion of axial opening 2 extending through cylinder 3 is of reduced diameter so as to provide a desired pressure differential across the valve when fully open. It is readily seen that by proper selectionof'cpening T the instantaneous pressure drop across the valve may be controlled within a desired range of pressures by manipula tion of the control member. For connecting the valve in a pipe or line, not shown, through flows the fluid to be controlled, there are formed, respectively, W

at the upstream and the ddwnstreain' ends of the valve flanges 4--and 5 which-maybe secured by any suitable means such, for'example, 75 h 20 possible.

as bolts, not shown, to corresponding parts of successive sections of the pipe. Threats 3 and I may be detachably-secured*-in opening 2 at the upstream and downstream ends, respectively, of the-valve for streamlining the flow-of fluid therethrough, each of the-throats, throat 6, forexample; terminating at one of its ends in a flange 8 resting in circumferential groove 9 formed inthe associated flange, flange 4, of valve body I, and secured at its other-end; as at it, in theredueed portion of opening 2, in cyln r .1 f The controlrnember comprises gate enclosing andsealing member, or barrel H, and valve gate i2, and is confined in: cylinder-3 which is closed at its ends by end plates l3 and 14 secured,- respectively, by bolts or rivets or other-suitable meansnot shown;to flanges l5 and 15 formed at either end of cylinder 3' 'It will be noted that circumferential, raised surfaces 1 are formed exteriorly on barrel ll and at either of its ends and adjacent opening 2 in cylinder-3 whereby the barrel is tig tly -sealed within the cylinder but, due to the relatively small'sealing'surface, is readily removable for purpose of repairing and thelike 4 Barrel H, shown in detail in Figures 4'to'9, inclusive, preferably comprises two hemicylindrical members 18; and lil secured together by a series of bolts 20;:f0r example. An axial opening 21 of" rectangular cross-section extends through barrel Ii; ahdis: adapted to receive valve gate l2 forjslidable movement'therein in a plane normal to the axis of aperture 22 formed in barrel 1 I and corresponding with opening 2 in the valve body, the sides of axialopefiing 2| forming-seating surfaces 23 and 24 in membersia and 19, respectively, for gate '12. Key 25 (Figurem 'inay be employed for maintaining barrel H ina position in valve body i such that aperture 22 is at all times in registering relationship with opening 2. Referring particularly tol i'gures Z'a'nd 10 to 12, inclusive, valve gate [2' preferably comprises a singleelongated memberfat one end of which is formed a T-js'lot'j26 adapted to grip a' complementary end of g'atestr'n 21. Gate stem 21 exthrough' a suitable bore 28 in end plate 14 whereby'gate' l2 maybe manipulated, as desired. Intermediate the length of gate l2 there is formed aperture 29 which edges, namely, edges 30 and 3 I, for controlling the flow of fluidthrough the valve. It is understood that the" length of gate l2 is such as to permit, by proper manipula- 21jeither of the leading edges to control the flow of fluid.

Formed on either face of gate l2 and extending longitudinally thereof are pairs of raised surfaces, surfaces 32 and 33, in the form of bands, as shown. Similarly, a pair of surfaces 34 extend trans- 5 versely about gate I2 adjacent either end thereof. In addition, raised surfaces 35 are formed on either side of gate l2 extending longitudinally thereof, as shown. Surfaces 32 to 34, inclusive, are adapted to seat on seating surfaces 23 and 10 24 of barrel H, and due to the relatively small contact area; the close :clearances therebetween maybe reduced to a minimum without adversely affecting the facility of manipulation of gate l2.

* f It is preferable to have a clearance between these 15 surfaces and seating surfaces 23 and 24 of the order of 0.004 inch. With clearances of this order, the-fluid catalystflcwing through the valves is preventedfrom passing between these surfaces, and ready and easy manipulation of gate 12 is The clearance between surfaces 35, 'feiirie'd ofleither side of gate 12, and the associatedsurfaces of barrel H preferably is of the order of 0.003 inch.

It is readily seen that raised surfaces 32 to 34,

25 inclusive, define or form boundaries of relief area's'35 and 31 on the faces of gate [2. It is the purpose of this invention to provide means for continuously introducing aeration fluid between seatingsurfaces 23 and24; and relief areas 36 and 30 3'i,"'respectively, in 'a'manner so as to maintain them substantiallyfree of'the' fluid catalyst being controlled by thevalve'. "To this end a plurality ofor'ific'es 38 areformed in hemicylindrical member lfl'about aperture 22 and inwardly of raised 35 surfaces '32 of gate (2, as shown,- each of the orifi'ce s' communicating at one of its ends with groove 33for'med'in seating surface 23 of member l8. The'other' ends of the orifices communicate with passagedo'which, in turn, communicates with 40 longitudinally extending passage 41 terminating inoneend of barrel H1 Itis readily seen that aeration fluid-introduced into passage 4] will flow therethrough to passage 40, and thence through orifices 38'into groove 38 from which the fluid is directed into the space between seat ing"surface 23 and relief area 36.

In"like' mannena' plurality of orifices 42 are "formed" in hemicylin'drical" member 19 about aperture 22 and inwardly of raised surfaces 33,

5o ea'ch'oftheoriflcescommunicating at one ofits 'ends'with groove 43 formed in seating surface 24. .The other ends of orifices 42 communicate with passage"44 which; in turn, communicates with longitudinally extending passage 45 terminating,

"preferably, in the same end of barrel H as passage ll.

' Referring particularly to Figure 2, ports 46 and 41 are drilled, or otherwise formed in end plate I3 for continuously-supplying aeration fluid from a suitable source, not shown, to passa es 41 and 45 whence the fluid is caused to be expelled from the grooves, as pointed out hereinbefore. It is understood that with the valve open,-aeration fluid will be expelled from grooves 39 and 43, respectively,

into the space between seating surface 23 and "reliefarea36, and between seating surface 24 and relief area 31, thereby continuously sweeping the spaces freeof the fluid catalyst, and diverting the catalyst into aperture 22 away from the seating surfaces to retard erosion and corrosion of the 1am. It should be noted that the size of orifices 38 and 42 relative topassages 40, 4|, 44, and 45 issu'ch that,'regardless of the position of gate 12,

"aeration fluid will be ejected from each of the obviated by providing grooves It is thus seen that the fluid catalyst is prevented substantially from passing between seating surfaces 23 and 24, and gate [2. Under unusual conditions, however, some of the catalyst might pass beyond raised surfaces 34 and be deposited on seating surface 24, thereby jamming gate I 2 tightly in barrel II. This difliculty is 48 and 49 on the lower surface of gate l2, which grooves extend inwardly from the ends of the gate to communicate with relief area 31 and are in communication with the exterior of the valve through ports 50 and 5| provided in end plates l3 and I4, respectively, whereby aeration fluid from a suitable source, not shown, is introduced through ports 50 and 5| into the associated grooves, grooves and 49, respectively whence the aeration fluid passes into relief area 31 sweeping the aforementioned deposited catalyst from seating surface 24 into aperture 22. It is preferable to provide a space 52, as shown in Figure 2, between the end of barrel H and end plate l4 so that barrel II will not interfere with the seating of end plate [4 on flange I 6 and also to connect port 50 with groove 48. It should be pointed out that a suitable packing means, not shown, is disposed in the annular space 53 between end plate I4 and gate stem 27 in a manner to prevent aeration fluid injected through port 50 from escaping therethrough.

It is to be understood that the aeration fluid may be air or any other suitable gas, such, for example, as nitrogen or steam. It is to be further understood that although the valve has been described as employed for controlling the flow of fluid catalyst through a pipe, the invention is not to be construed as so limited, but may be employed in any instance where it is desirable to control the fluid flow in a pipe or line.

We claim:

1. In a valve, a valve body having an opening through which flows the fluid to be controlled, and a control member removably secured within the valve body said control member comprising a gate enclosing and seating member provided with seating surfaces and an aperture in registering relationship with said opening, each of said seating surfaces having formed therein a groove completely surrounding said aperture, a valve gate mounted for slidable movement in said enclosing and seating means and adapted for seating on said seating surfaces, a plurality of orifices formed in said enclosing and seating member about said aperture, each of said orifices communicating at one of its ends with the groove in one of said seating surfaces, first passage means formed in the gate enclosing and seating member and communicating with said orifices for continuously passing aeration fluid through the grooves formed in the seating surfaces and thence between the surfaces of the valve gate and the seating surfaces, longitudinally extending grooves provided in said valve gate, and second passage means associated with said longitudinally extending grooves for continuous ly introducing aeration fluid through said longitudinally extending grooves and thence between the surfaces of said valve gate and the seating surfaces whereby the surfaces are maintained substantially free of the first mentioned fluid.

2. In a valve a valve body having an opening through which flows the fluid to be controlled, and a control member removably secured within the valve body, said controlmember compris- 'ing'a gate enclosing and seating member prochamber to receive a vided with seating surfaces and an aperture in registering relationship with said opening, an elongated valve gate provided with an aperture intermediate the length thereof forming a pair of leading edges, a plurality of raised surfaces on said valve gate for engagement with the seating surfaces, said raised surfaces defining relief areas between said seating surfaces and said valve gate, a plurality of orifices formed in said enclosing and seating member about the first mentioned communicating with said relief areas, longitudinally extending grooves provided in said valve gate and communicating with said relief areas, and means associated with said orifices and said grooves for continuously introducing aeration fluid therethrough into the relief areas whereby said areas are maintained substantially free of the first mentioned fluid and erosion of said leading edges is retarded.

3, In a valve a valve body having an opening through which flows the fluid to be controlled, and a control member removably secured within the valve body, said control member comprising a gate enclosing and seating member provided with seating surfaces and an aperture in registering relationship with said opening, an elongated valve gate provided with an aperture intermediate the length thereof forming a pair of leading edges, a plurality of raised surfaces on said valve gate for engagement with the seating surfaces, said raised surfaces defining relief areas between said seating surfaces and said valve gate, a plurality of orifices formed in said enclosing and seating member about the first mentioned aperture and communicating with said relief areas, longitudinal passages in said enclosing and seating member and extending inwardly from an end there of, each of said longitudinal passages communicating with those orifices which in turn communicate with one of said relief areas, longitudinally extending grooves provided in said valve gate and communicating with said relief areas, and a plurality of input ports provided in said valve body and associated respectively with said longitudinal passages and said grooves for continuously introducing aeration fluid therethrough into the relief areas whereby said areas are maintained substantially free of the first mentioned fluid and erosion of said leading edges is retarded.

4. In a valve a valve body having an opening through which flows fluid to be controlled and a chamber to receive a control member, and a conrelationship with the opening in the valve body, a valve gate mounted for slidable movement in the enclosing and seating member and adapted for seating on the seating surfaces, an aperture provided intermediately of the length of the valve gate forming a pair of control surfaces, means for manipulating the valve gate for selectively controlling flow of fluid through the valve by means of one of the control surfaces, and raised surfaces formed exteriorly on the enclosing and seating member adjacent the aperture therein for contacting the valve body and for preventing flow of fluid therebetween.

5. In a valve a valve body having an opening through which flows fluid to be controlled and a control member, and a control member removably secured within the chamber, the control member comprising a valve gate provided with and an aperture in're'gistering the valve body, having formed therein a groove completely surrounding saidaperture, a valve gate mounted for slidable movemerit in the enclosing and seating 'member and adapted for seating on the seating surfaces, raised surfaces formed exteridrly on the enclosing and seating member adjacent the aperture therein for contacting the valve body and for preventing flow of fluid therebetween, and interconhecting passage means formed in the gate enclosing and seating member and communic'ating with said grooves for continuously introducing aeration fluid through said grooves and between the surfaces of the valve gate and the seating surfaces whereby the surfaces are maintained substantially free of the first 'mentioned fluid.

v 6. In a valve a valve body having an opening through which flows fluid to be controlled and a chamber to receive a control member, and a control member r'emovably secured within the chamber, the control member comprising a "valve gate enclosing and seating member provided with seating surfaces and an aperture in registering relationship with the opening in the valve body, each of said seating surfaces hav ing formed therein a groove completely surrounding said aperture, a valve gate mounted for 'slidable movement in the enclosing and seating member'and adapted for seating on the seating surfaces, raised surfaces formed exteriorly on the enclosing and seating member adjacent the aperture therein for contacting the valve body and for preventing flow of fluid therebetween, and a plurality of orifices formed in the enclosing and seating mem 'er and communicating with said grooves for continuously introducing aeration fluid through said grooves and between the surfaces of the valve gate and the seating surfaces whereby the "surfaces are maintained substantially free of the first mentioned'fluid.

7. In a valve a'valve body having 'a'n'opening through which flowsfluid to be controlled and a chamber to receive a control member, and a control member 're'movably secured within the chainber, the control member'comprising a valve gate enclosing and seating member provided with seatin surfaces and an'aperture'in registering relationship with'the'o'pening in the valve body, 'each 'of said seating surfaces having formed therein a groove comple 'ely surrounding said aperture, a valve gate mounted'for slid'able'movement 'in'the'enclosing and seating member and adapted for seating on the seating surfaces, raised surfaces formed exteriorly on the enclosing and seating member adjacent the aperture therein for contacting the valve body and for preventing flow of fluid therebetween, a plurality'of orifices formed in the enclosing and seating member about the aperture, each of said 'orifices communicatingat one of its ends with the groove formed in one of the seating surfaces, first passage means formed in the gate enclosing and seating member and communicating with said orifices for continuously passing aeration fluid through the grooves formed in the'seating surfaces and thence the valve gate and the seating surfaces, longitudinally extending grooves provided in the valve gate, andsecond passage means as- {sociated with said longitudinally extending grooves for continuously -'-intro'ducing aeration between the surfaces of l fluid through said longitudinally extending grooves and thence between the surfaces of the valve gate and the seating surfaces whereby the surfaces are maintained substantially free of the first mentioned fluid.

8. In a valve a valve body having an opening through which flows fluid to befcontrolled and a chamber to receive a control member, and a control member removably secured within the chamber, the control member comprising a valve gate enclosing and seating member provided with seating surfaces and an aperture in registering relationship with the opening in the valve body, each of said seating surfaces having formed therein a groove completely surrounding said aperture, 'a valve gate mounted for slidable movement in the enclosing and seating member and adapted for seating on the seating surfaces, an aperture provided intermediately of the length of the valve gate forming a pair of 'control surfaces, means for manipulating the valve gate for selectively controlling how of fluid through the valve by means of one of the control :surfaces, raised surfaces formed exteriorly on the enclosing and seating member-adjacent the aperture therein-forcontacting the valve body and for preventing flow of fluid therebetween, a plurality of orifices formed in the enclosing and seating member about the aperture, each of said orifices communicating at one of its ends with the groove formed in one-of the seating surfaces, first passage means formed in the gate enclosing and seating member and communicating with said orifices for continuously passing aeration fluid through the grooves formed in the seating surfaces and thence between the surfaces of the valvegate and the seating-surfaces, longitudinally extending grooves provided in the valve-gate, and second passage means associated with said longitudinally extending grooves for continuously introducing aeration fluid through said 1011-- gitudinally extending grooves and thence between the surfaces of the valve gate and the seating surfaces whereby the surfaces aremaintained substantially free of the first mentioned fluid.

9. In a valve a valve body-having an opening through which flows the fluid to be controlled, and a control'member removably secured within the valve body, said control member comprising a gate enclosing and seating member provided withseating surfaces and an aperture in registering relationship with said opening, each of said seating surfaces having formed therein a groove completely surrounding said aperture, a valve gate mounted for slidable movement in said enclosing andseating member with at least a portion of said gate at all times seated on said seating surfaces, and means formed in said gate enclosing and seating member for continuously introducing aeration fluid through said grooves and thence between'theseatedportion of said valve gate and the seating-surfaces wherebythe surfaces are maintained substantially free of the first mentioned fluid.

l0.In a valve a valve body having an-opening through which flows the fluid to be controlled, and a control member removably secured within the valve body, said control member comprising a gate enclosing and seating member provided with seating surfacesand 'an' aperture i registering relationship with said opening; each of said seating surfaces :having I formed therein l a groove completely surrounding saidi'aperture, a ,valvealgate mounted -for slidable movementilin said enclosing and seating member with at least a portion of said gate at all times seated on said seating surfaces, and means for continuously introducing aeration fluid through said grooves and thence between the seated portion of said valve gate and the seating surfaces whereby the surfaces are maintained substantially free of the first mentioned fluid, said last named means comprising a plurality of orifices formed in said enclosing and seating member about said aperture, each of said orifices communicating at one of its ends with the groove formed in one of said seating surfaces.

WILLIAM T. I-HRSCH. ERNEST R. ROTH.

10 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Hollis Sept. 29, 1914 Kimball Oct; 14, 1919 Leach et a1. Nov. 4, 1930 Redding Sept. 29, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Denmark of 1933 Denmark of 1936 Germany of 1929 France of 1930 

